Index regulator set



y 2, 1953 H. KOCHER 2,637,970

INDEX REGULATOR SET Filed Nov. 4, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet l av vaw roe.-

rm/vs 001562 By KM,

ATTORN K y 12, 1953 H. KOCHER INDEX REGULATOR SET 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 4, 1949 m ..wm m P O R m KA O I m V N wmB y 1953 H. KOCHER 2,637,970

INDEX REGULATOR SET Filed Nov. 4, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 (NI/EN reg.

m/vs KOCHER BYKA- ATTORNE.

May 12, 1953 H. KOCHER 2,637,970

INDEX REGULATOR SET Filed Nov. 4, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 dA/vs KO mm Br 4.,fi ATTORNfK Patented May 12, 1953 INDEX REGULATOR SET Hans Kocher, Cortebert, Switzerland, assignor to Cortbert Watch 00., Cortebert, Switzerland, a corporation of Switzerland Application November 4, 1949, Serial No. 125,608 In Switzerland November 6, 1948 7 Claims.

This invention relates to improved index assemblies for timepiece regulators.

In most watches or clocks the regulator system comprises a balance the oscillations of which are otbained by a fiat spiral spring, the outer end of which is fixed to a stud attached to a cock. The outer turn of the spiral spring is guided between two pins fixed to a regulator by means of which the positions of these pins around the axis of the balance can be adjusted, in order to modify the speed at which the watch or clock operates. The length of the spiral spring lying between the stud and the pins of the regulator should theoretically be without any influence on the oscillations of the balance. In practice, this is, however, not quite true. The pins lock the spiral spring but seldom perfectly. There must be a clearance affording adjustment. The inconveniences resulting from this clearance between the pins are well known to those skilled in the art. It has already been tried to do away with these disadvantages and for this purpose, difierent propositions have been made (see for instance the Swiss Patents 251,174 and 251,695). However, these solutions are by no means perfect. They intend to avoid the pins of the regulator; this, however, is not a perfect solution of the problem, which can be solved only by replacing these pins and the keys now used by something more rigid,

guaranteeing a precise fixing of the spiral spring, I

while allowing its working length to be altered for regulating the running speed of the watches.

It is an object of this invention to provide a mechanism which overcomes the difficulties referred to above.

According to my invention, the pins are replaced by a clamp normally tightening the last turn of the spiral spring and being released when the regulator is operated for adjusting the working length of the spiral spring.

Other objects and features will be apparent as the following description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawings illustrating by way of example diiierent embodiments of my invention, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment, showing the difierent parts of the index regulator set in a position during running of the watch and after an adjustment of the working length of the spiral spring,

Fig. 2 is a section along the symmetry axis 'IIII of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a plan view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the device in a position in which the outer turn of the spiral spring is completely released in order to allow an adjustment of the working length of the spiral spring by rocking the regulator around its axis,

Fig. 4 illustrates the same set as shown in the preceding figures, but in a position wherein the clamp is held open by means of an eccentric,

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the subject matter of the invention,

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a third modification,

Fig. 7 is a section along line VII-VII of Fig. 6 and Fig. 8 a section along'line VIIIVIII of Fig. "I,

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the set shown in Fig. 8 in a different operating position,

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 11 is a section along the line XI-XI of Fig, 10,

Fig. 12 is a plan view of a fifth modification,

Fig. 13 is a section along the line XIII-XIII of Fig. 12,

Fig. 14 is a plan view of a sixth modification of a device according to the invention,

Fig. 15 is a plan view of a seventh modification, and

Figs. 16 and 17 are partial plan views of an eighth and ninth embodiment, respectively.

A timepiece regulator set comprises an assembly of parts for adjusting the position of the fixed point of the outer turn of the spiral spring, for determining the working length of this spring. The set comprises a regulator member and parts cooperating with it for holding the member in place and affording its adjustment around the axis of the balance, for locking the outer turn of the spiral spring at different places.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the cock is designated by 5. An index disk 2 is fixed to the cock I by means of two screws 3 and comprises a flange 4 under which an annular portion of the regulator lever 5 is held slidingly. This regulator lever has a tail portion 6 extending to l. The regulator member 5 possesses a portion 1 just at the root of the tail 6, which has an opening 8 for a purpose referred to later on. A spring 9 with two prongs or branches is riveted to the tail 6, this spring exerting a pressure on a ring member l0 yieldingly held on the index disc 2 at such a pressure that it is not taken along by the friction between its circumference and the branches of the spring 9. Instead of riveting the spring 9 to the tail 6, it might as Well be held by two pins of the regulator. The ring member III has a lug H, on which an eccentric I2 is pivoted, which may be turned by means of a screw driver in order to abut its head against the wall of the opening 8 for producing sliding engagement of the regulator 5 and ring member II). In order to afford such a sliding movement, a clearance I3 is provided between the circumference of the index disk and the annular rim of the regulator.

The ring it also comprises 9. lug Hi on which a pin I 5 is held, forming the inner jaw of a clamp, the outer jaw l6 of which is riveted to an extension IQ of the regulator 5. v

The pin it carries a cylinder ll inserted in an opening is of extension it of the regulator 5.. The opening comprises wall portions enclosing an angle and being inclined relatively to a vertical plane extending through the symmetry axis 11-11 of the regulator.

The outer jaw l 6 and the pin 1 5 form together a clamp, between the jaws of which the outer turn of the spiral hair spring Ell can be clamped due to the eifect of the spring 9.. lhis spring bearingagainst the ring tends to displace the regulator towards the scale l" and thereby to move the outer jaw towards the inner one. The spiral spring is tightly held between the two. jaws due to the action of spring 9 and, the portion of the spring between the clamp and the stud 2! is immobilized.

If the regulator is moved clockwise or counterclockwise for changing the speed of the timepiece, one or the other of the wall portions of the opening 18, which portions enclose an angle, slides on the cylinder ll whereby a translatory movement of the regulator is produced and the clamp is loosened. Continued movement of the regulator in one direction causes the cylinder l! to bear against a portion of the wall of. the opening [8 where it can no longer slide, so that the regulator 5 takes the ring it and the inner jaw l5 along with it in the desired direction. After completion spring 26 into the regulator set, the clamp must A be held in open position. For this purpose the eccentric i2 is used. The latter i turned by 180 into the position shown in Fig. 4, whereby the regulator is shifted towards the left and the clamp loosened, providing the space between the jaws, necessary to easily insert the spring. The spiral spring having been mounted, the eccentric I2 is turned back by 180 and the. spring 9 ggesses the jaws It and i5 onto the spiral spring Referring now to Fig. 5, the regulator 55 comprises a similar extension, [9, as in Fig. l, to which the outer jaw I6 is fixed. This extension is hollowed out to provide space for a lug 22 on a ring [0 which is mounted on an index disk, not shown. The regulator member 5' and the ring member Ill are substantially in the same plane. The lug 22- carries a pin I5 constituting the inner jaw of the clamp. To the underside of the regulator 5', a spring 9' with two branches is fixed, this spring bearing against the ring It a in the precedin example.

Upon manipulation of a tail t extending from member 5, in order to adjust the tightening point of the clamp comprising the jaws l5 and I16, the regulator 5 at firstslides on a round portion 23 of the opening of the lugv 22 in accord,- ance with the direction of the movement imparted to the regulator tail 6. This adjus e atfirst resultsin a translatory movement of the resulator towards the left, so that the spiral spring 28 is released. On continuing turning the regulator, the two jaws I5 and I6 are swung out of their position to adjust the position of the tightening point of the clamp. Upon subsequent release of the regulator 5', the spring 9 again operates to press the jaws it and It against the spiral spring 28.,

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive, the outer jaw i6 is mounted on a spring 24 with two branches. As may be seen in 8, this spring 24 has two legs open towards the regulator tail. 6" is mounted on the regulator 5 by means of a pin iii of the outer jaw H5. The ring H1 is held under the index disk 2 and possesses an extension 25 to which the pin or inner jaw i5 is fixed. The extension is Within an opening of the regulator 5. A. round portion 23 of the wall of. this opening, which is analogous to the round portion of the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, imparts at first a translatory movement to the ring it! when the regulator ii is operated, opening in. this, way the clamp against the action of the spring 24. To allow this translatory movement a, clearance i3 is provided between. the ring Hi" and. the regulator 5" (Figs. 1 and 8). After disappearance of the clearance because of the translatory movement of the ring Hi", the different parts are in the position shown in Fig. 9, where the clamp is. loosened, any further movement of the regulator in the same direction will result in a displacement of the jaws along the spiral spring and in this way of the tightening point of the latter. Here, as in the preceding embodiments, the ring ill, fits: the index disk 2 at a pressure great enough to prevent. the ring from being taken along by the regulator until the clamp has been opened.

Referring now to Figs. 10 and 11, the pin l5 forming the inner jaw of the clamp is fixed to. a lug Id" of a ring ill, the latter fitting the index disk at a pressure sufiicient; to allow a first movement of the regulator without taking the ring Hi" along. The outer jaw iii" carrie a pin 26 by means of which the former is held in semicylindrical openings provided on either side of a slot 28' of the regulator 5". The elasticity of the regulator portions adjacent to the slot holds the jaw l6" in place and the clamp tightened. The regulator portion surrounding the lug Hi" of the ring l0" comprises projections 2? symmetrically arranged at either side of the lug ll", so that a first adjustment of the regulator 5" by operating its tail 6" provides for a separation of the walls of the slot 2-8 and a sufiicientrelease ofthe outer jaw I6" to allow displacement of the spiral spring 29' between the two jaws. On further displacement of the regulator its tension is increased and the ring it therefore is taken along and the tightening point of the clamp on thespiral spring 20 adjusted. As soon as the regulator 5" is released, its elasticity causes closing of the slot 28 so that the pin 26 is again fixed and the outer jaw Iii pressed against the spiral spring 29.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the regulator 5a is also split at 28 on th end opposite to the tail 5. The outer jaw liia is mounted on a spring 24' having two legs astride a ring Illa which is fitted on the index disk as in the preceding embodiment. A lug [do of the. ring [0a carries a pin l5 forming the inner jaw of the clamp. A stop 29 is fixed to thespring 24 in alignment with the. regulator 5a.. -.The' stop-has a vertical flat surface abutting against the, corresponding end faces 30 of the regulator-5a. due

to the action of the spring 24 The oblique lateral surfaces 32 of the regulator 5a engage the inclined walls of the lug Me so that, on operating the regulator 5a, the end faces 30 press against the stop 29, urge the spring 24 together with the jaw Hia towards the left and loosen the clamp for releasing the spiral spring. On continuing the adjustment of the regulator, the ring 18a is turned and the tightening point of the spiral spring between the clamp jaws is adjusted in a similar manner as described above with regard to other embodiments.

The index regulator set shown in Fig. 14 comprises a regulator 33 whose tail 34 is split. The regulator thus forms a spring with two branches elastically bearing against the ring it. This ring comprises a lug M" carrying a pin or inner jaw [5. The lateral surfaces of the lug l4 cooperate with projections 35 provided on the inner wall of a hollow extension of the regulator 33. The outer jaw i5 is fixed to the regulator. Upon displacement of the regulator, by pressing in the direction indicated by arrows y or a, one or the other of the projections 35 slides on the lug l4" and opens the clamp and releases the spiral spring. On further movement of the regulator, the tension of the regulator is increased and the ring i" is also rotated and thereby the tightening point of the outer turn of the spiral spring adjusted.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 15, the outer jaw [6a is fixed to a spring 24", which does not engage a ring but the index disk 2" itself. The regulator is made in two parts 35 and 31, with their tails 3i! and 39 lying in a secant of the annular rim of the respective part 35 and bl. The regulator part 3? has an extension it to which a pin 15" forming the inner jaw is fixed. The regulator part 38 has an extension 6! ending in a fiat face 62 bearing against the outer jaw [a. As may be seen from Fig. 15, the spring 24" closes "the clamp in that it tends to press the two jaws against each other. On operating the tails 38 and 39 in the direction of the arrows x for bringing their ends together, the face 42 exerts a pressure onto the jaw !6a which separates the jaw from the pin l5" and opens the clamp. Thereupon the regulators may be adjusted in one or the other direction in order to adjust the position of the tightening point of the outer turn of the spiral spring.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 16, the ring 15a has a lug 4G to which the pin or inner jaw I5 is fixed. The regulator 43 has a portion concentric with the ring I ha and has at one end a resilient extension #25 carrying the outer jaw [6b and tending to press the latter against the pin 15. The elastic portion 45 has projections 45 and H cooperating with lateral sides of the lug M for the same purpose as has been described with reference to other embodiments. Projection 46 form the end of the resilient portion 45. Turning the tail Ed in one or the other direction results at first in a sliding of one of the projections 46 and is: along the respective edge of the lug 44, so that the extension i5 is stressed and the clamp opened. Thereupon the regulator takes the ring lila along in order to adjust the position of the pin l5 (and the jaw 48b) and thereby the position of the tightening point of the spiral spring.

With some exceptions, the embodiment shown in Fig. 17, is similar to that of Fig. 16. Here too, there is a ring, lilb, and an annular part 43' on the regulator which has an elastic branch 45' to which the outer jaw is fixed. The pin or inner jaw [50 is fixed to a lug 48 on the ring Illb, the lug cooperating alternately with the end 49 of the elastic branch 45 and with a projection 50 provided on the inner edge of the branch 45 in order, at first, to open the clamp by stressing the branch 45'. On further movement of the tail 5c, the ring I0 is rotated and the tightening point of the spiral spring displaced.

While I have shown some embodiments of my invention, I do not wish to unnecessarily limit the scope of my invention, but reserve the right to make such modifications and alterations of the different parts as may come within the purview of the accompanying claims.

What I claim is:

l. A regulator for adjusting the hair spring of the balance of timepieces, comprising a regulator lever member, a ring member disposed adjacent to said lever member and adapted to rotate substantially about the same axis as said lever member, clamp means for clamping the hair spring. said clamp means comprising two jaw members, one of said jaw members being connected with said lever member, the other jaw member being connected with said ring member, said lever member and said ring member being relatively movable transversely to their axis of rotation, said lever member and said ring member having surface portions, the surface portion of one member slidably engaging the surface portion of the other member and afiording relative movement of said lever and ring members upon rotation of said lever member and causing separation of said jaw members for releasing the hair spring, stationary means frictionally engaging said ring member and preventing rotation thereof during said relative movement and affording rotation of said ring member upon continued rotation of the lever member for displacing the jaw member connected with said ring member along the hair spring, and resilient means connected with said lever and ring members and pulling same together in opposite direction to said relative movement for closing said jaw members on the hair spring upon release of said regulator member.

2. A regulator as set forth in claim 1, said resilient means comprising two prongs having their junction connected with said lever member and being positioned at an angle relative to each other and astride said ring member and having inner surfaces slidably engaging and being resiliently pressed against said ring member.

3. A regulator as set forth in claim 1, said lever member having a lug portion, an opening therein comprising said surface portion, and said ring member having a lug portion, a cylinder mounted thereon and having a cylindrical surface portion slidably engaging the surface portion of said opening.

4. A regulator as defined in claim 3, said surface portion having parts parallel to the axis of rotation of the ring member and diverging at an angle whose median extends through said rotation axis.

5. A regulator as defined in claim 3, said lever member having a second opening substantially diametrically opposed to the opening in said lug portion, and an eccentric rotatably connected with said ring member and extending into said second opening and affording relative movement of said lever and ring members against the act-ion of said resilient means in one rotational position of the eccentric and affording arresting of said movement in another position.

6. A regulator for adjusting the hair spring of the balance of timepieces, comprising a regulator lever member, a ring member disposed within and substantially in the same plane as and adapted to rotate substantially about the same axis as said lever member, clamp means for clamping the hair spring, said clamp means comprising two jaw members, one of said jaw members being connected with said lever member, the other jaw member being connected with said ring member, said lever member and said ring member being relatively movable transversely to their axis of rotation, said lever member and said ring member having surface portions, the surface portion of one member slidably engaging the surface portion of the other member and affording relative movement of said lever and ring members upon rotation of said lever me1nher and causing separation of said jaw members for releasing the hair spring, stationary means frictionally engaging said ring member and preventing rotation thereof during said relative movement and affording rotation of said ring member upon continued rotation of the lever member for displacing the jaw member connected with said ring member along the hair spring, and resilient means connected with said lever and ring members and pulling same together in opposite direction to said relative movement for closing said jaw members on the hair spring upon release of said regulator member.

'7. A regulator for adjusting the hair spring of the balance of timepieces, comprising a regulator 1 lever member, a ring member disposed within and substantially in the same plane as and adapted to rotate substantially about the same axis as said lever member, clamp means for clamping the hair spring, said clamp means comprising two jaw members, a pin connecting one of said jaw members with said lever member, the

other jaw member being connected with said ring member, said lever member and said ring member being relatively movable transversely to their axis of rotation, said lever member and said ring member having surface portions, the surface portion of one member slidably engaging the surface portion of the other member and afford ing relative movement of said lever and ring members upon rotation of said lever member and causing separation of said jaw members for releasing the hair spring, stationary means frictionally engaging said ring member and preventing rotation thereof during said relative movement and affording rotation of said ring member upon continued rotation of the lever member for displacing the jaw member connected with said ring member along the hair spring, and resilient means having a portion connected with said lever member by means of said pin and having two legs extending from said portion astride and partly around said ring member and ,pulling said lever member and said ring member together in opposite direction to said relative movement for closing said jaw members on the hair spring upon release of said regulator member.

HANS KOCHER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 907,521 Norton Dec. 22, 1908 1,311,502 Ecaubert July 29, 1919 2,508,940 Dubois May 23, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 14,766 Great Britain of 1888 251,17 l Switzerland July 16, 1948 251,695 Switzerland -1 Aug. 16, 1948 256,274 Switzerland Feb. 16, 1949 36,709 France June 8, 1906 

